Thornton named to national council

To serve economic, community steering committee position

January 11, 2014

VIENNA - The National League of Cities Community and Economic Development Steering Committee has chosen a Mid-Ohio Valley native to hold a position on this national council.

Paul Thornton, a member of the Vienna City Council, the Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority Board and vice chairman of the Wood County Solid Waste Authority, has been named to one of 20 one-year positions on the National League of Cities Community and Economic Development Steering Committee, said Vienna Mayor Randy Rapp on Thursday.

Thornton has been an active part of the community for 40 years, participating in public service positions wherever he feels he is needed, Thornton said.

Article Photos

Photo by Gretchen Richards Paul Thornton, Vienna city councilman, has been named to the National League of Cities Community and Economic Development Steering Committee. During his one-year term, Thornton plans to focus on job creation across the country.

The Community and Economic Development Steering Committee has a lead responsibility for developing federal policy positions on issues involving housing, community and economic development, land use, recreation and parks, historic preservation and international competitiveness, said National League of Cities President Chris Coleman.

Through his position on this committee, Thornton will play a role in shaping policy positions and advocate on behalf of America's cities and towns before Congress, with the administration and at home, Coleman said.

The National League of Cities serves as a resource for more than 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans, Coleman said.

Thornton was excited to be named to the committee.

"I am very pleased that I was appointed, and am somewhat honored, due to the high level of competition," Thornton said.

Thornton plans to focus his one-year term on job creation in cities of all sizes across America, he said.

Whether through creation of new facilities or through expansion of existing facilities, he believes that jobs are what the country needs most right now, Thornton said.

One of the ways that Thornton plans to focus on job creation is through communication between companies that exist in America, he said.

Thornton described his plan to create jobs as introduction and communication between companies within cities, regions, states and across the nation, he said.

"If you are Business A, and Business B on the other side of town makes something that you need, then it behooves Business A to introduce themselves to Business B, and to get their supplies locally, rather than imported from another country," Thornton said.

Through the creation of jobs across America, Thornton hopes to revive communities and better the economy throughout the country, he said.